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Who Am I? - Ben Dutka

Arnold thought itíd be a good idea to formally introduce ourselves to our loyal readers. Itís a darn good plan, too, especially considering the increased number of Comments we receive on a daily basis. So, who are the two main guys responsible for the content youíve come to expect and Ė hopefully Ė appreciate? Well, heíll handle his intro and itís time for mine.

Some of you already know a little about me due to my interaction with a lot of readers over the past year or so, but hereís more of my profile. First, the boring stuff- I graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2000 with a BA and my degree in Psychology. After trying standard office work for a few years, I realized I couldnít handle such work for the remainder of my days. Öof course, this realization came after I got laid off, but nevertheless. ;) Anyway, I decided I wanted to be a writer, which, at the time, was the equivalent of saying I wanted to be poor. As I didnít have a degree in Journalism and zero publishing credits to my name, I wasnít entirely sure how to begin, so I started submitting ideas and articles to several local newspapers. Thankfully, they thought I had some skill and hired me on as a freelance reporter, which really didnít keep me out of the poorhouse but still provided some excellent experience. In other words, my wallet didnít benefit, but my rťsumť did.

I started reporting on local news but eventually wound up producing front-page feature articles revolving around entertainment. In my time, I interviewed more than a few major music artists and comedians Ė a few names include Kelly Clarkson, Jamey Jasta, Scott Ian, Coldplay, Celtic Woman, Carlos Mencia, Colin Mochrie, and Lewis Black Ė and I got around a bit. But after yet another high-profile interview and feature piece for which I received the measly $50 a freelancer gets, and then finding out any number of magazines wouldíve bought the same piece for $1500, I decided Iíd had enough. I started looking online and thanks to the 80+ published pieces I had, I got accepted to write for AskMen.com, where I handled more entertainment features. The name I wrote under will remain a mystery, because Iím not about to take a thousand questions about whether or not Iím that character in real life. Then, I stumbled on a part-time gig here at PSX Extreme, just before Aaron left for GameSpot. When he did, Val had liked what I produced in my few months and wanted to know if I would like a full-time spot.

Of course, I did, and here I am. Iíve been Editor-in-Chief for over two years now, and Val and Arnold are absolutely awesome to work for/with. I plan on staying for as long as Iím welcome, and thatís all I need to say on that. As for my current life, I turned 30 last year and while a wee bit of depression accompanied that momentous event, I have to say Iím relatively satisfied with where I am. I bought a 2007 Nissan 350Z back in March thanks to Arnoldís recommendation; Iím sure he will mention his car in his profile as wellÖwe mention Ďem because we love our cars! Itís a joy to drive, and mine is a slick silver with Burnt Orange and black interior while Arnoldís is a lovely Daytona Blue. If any competing site would like to challenge our Zs to a battle, weíll be more than willing to smoke them off the road, as the only cars that weíd really worry about are Porsches, Corvettes, M-series BMWs, that crazy 450HP new Mercedes, and maybe a Lancer Evolution. Arnold knows more about cars than I do, but my father has been a mechanic all his life, and between the two of them, I get all kinds of good tips. Heh.

Iíve lifted weights for 6 years and I continue to do so three times per week. I also use my rowing machine three times per week to add the all-important cardio; itís necessary because while I love tennis, you canít really play year-round in Connecticut. Iím 6í3, about 225 lbs. and if youíre not up to the road race, you can always challenge me to a simple arm-wrestling contest. Iíve focused on my arms for so long that I havenít lost in a while. ;) I rent a condo in a quiet location thatís just a little too far away from everything, one of my lifelong goals is to read as many of the literary classics as I can get my hands on (currently reading a collection of Tennessee Williams plays), I enjoy sports and fine eating (not that I get the chance all the time), and Iím currently single. My ex isnít worth mentioning, just because itís not an interesting story...(LOL) For the time being, Iím far too busy to even concern myself with women, although Arnold will tell you thatís little more than a dodge. He may have a point, but Iíve grown accustomed to being independent a long time ago, and many times, I take a great deal of solace and satisfaction in that independence. As far as Iím concerned, women can wait.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly for my audience, my gaming history and tastes- my first game was Pong on my fatherís Atari 2600, which I played in 1982 when I was only 4 years old. Then I played the heck out of the family IBM/Tandy, where I spent almost all my time with Ms. Pac-Man (try that with a keyboard; I was a master!), Heroís Quest, and Earl Weaverís Baseball. Then I got the NES and a whole new world opened up. From then on, I was pretty well hooked. Iíve never signed on for the whole brand loyalty or fanboy mess; I just always wanted to play the games I wanted to play. My favorite game of all time is Final Fantasy Tactics, followed closely by Super Mario Bros., Final Fantasy VII, Super Mario Kart, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Obviously, you can guess that my two favorite systems (so far) are the SNES and PS1, although my personal gaming tastes have changed over the years. Back in college, I would only play RPGs. Iíve played most of them on the PS1 and I still own about 30. But these days, Iíll play anything thatís great. A good story always gets me, as does finely honed action and of course, fun factor. Iím a gamer for life, plain and simple.

For the most part, Iím a laid back, not easily excitable individual that believes in ambition and motivation, a simple sense of civility and common sense, and an inherent drive to better oneself. Guess thatís about it. SoÖhi. :)

Cool you interviewed Jamey Jasta! That makes sense being that Hatebreed is a CT band. I had "satisfaction is the death of desire‚ÄĚ blaring in my car on the way to work today. PSXEXTREME is my home page and will continue to be.

I think the first step would be to see if any local papers hire freelancers. If they do, you just have to submit a writing sample and a resume and you might get a few assignments. It all depends on what the paper needs, although it's usually local news for freelancers.

I just stuck around long enough and proved myself to be a capable journalist. So, they started moving me up until eventually, I was doing the big stuff.

Hey Ben, finally get to read the person behind the articles. Nice with the 350z, and probably got phat 19's on those two hehehehe. I like speed to, but mines on two wheels.

Although had to chill on that recently and gotten married and bought a civic si. I guess when you thrash too many bikes its time to stop and take a long break. I guess you can say gaming saved my ass as it was the only thing to calm me down; and my wife.

Love connecticut I did my entire middle school and freshman high school year there. And as for this story when ever xbots question your unbiased, you can just give them the link. And wow you seem to have some great experience at writing so that is why all your topic score so high. Oh and are you shy of publicity cause if i were you I would defenetly reveal my askmen id.Last edited by ps92117 on 1/19/2009 1:10:12 AM

LOL, at lease you can smoke them off the line. Just messing around Ben. Hope you drivin stick instead of auto; if not you're killing me man. ;)

On a diferent note. I started on a pong ( late 70's i think) too but it wasnt on atari 2600. It was on a solo console to a tv. And from there I was hooked. My wish, when i go, bury me with all my consoles; God, I hate sharing.

Greetings from MA, Ben. Move to Boston, or New York (for some reason I don't think Hartford counts)! So many hunnies, you won't be able to "dodge" them. Then again, certain townships are loaded. Brandford, CT has plently of nice scenery!

I Love games.Lucky enough to be born in an African country where you dont have to be a gazillionere to get a console. i live in South Africa gaming its still inaccsesable to 80 percent of black people. I played 8 bit games 4 about 7 years before i got a Sega master system and quickly got a playstation its all thanks to a BBC program they called Cybernet where they reviewed games does not play anymore.

Bought a lot of outdated VideoGame mags(stuff u did not buy was sent to us) one was
called PSXetreme I thought this was a online version of the mag and kept all my favourate games reviews,previews,posters in a scrap book.

My all time favourate game is The King of Fighters Series thats one game i can live on 4 life and the series is coming back in a big way.
KOF XII check out the vids in youtube and info at Cyberfanatix.

All other games are memorable but cant replay them.I need to play a JRPG that would turn my life upside down but im lazy but i will give it a shot.

U sound like a older version of me. I swear I told this girl I'm currently dating something similar to that "I'm too busy for woman" line, yesterday. lol. I'm pretty laid back myself.

You and Arnold seem to have no respect for the Hondas and Mazdas. What's up with that? Eurocars aren't the only cars that can beat 350Z's. :O We race everything down here in Houston.

Anyways, thanks u Ben, Arnold, John (where's John bio anyway?), and everyone else at PSXE for keep me informed on my PS news. I appreciate what u folks are doing over there and I pray that it only gets better and better for y'all.

I'm a big fan of Euro cars. But Hondas and Mazdas I don't like because A) They're fail-wheel drive. B) Gutless torque. I think the MX5 Miata is a great platform, but not nearly quick enough. I like the MazdaSpeed 3, but prefer the AWD MazdaSpeed 6.

As far as Hondas, my friend has an S2000 - it's a nice car, but barren in amenities and doesn't feel nearly as powerful as my Z. I do love me an NSX, though.

I must say Ben I love your down to earth presentation here on the site but you can certainly kick most of PSX members asses. 6'3 225 lbs. Your a big boy! Maybe its just me...Im 5'6 155 lbs but Im feisty!

Neva had psone,i had N64 and defended it always,i hated the psone at first but N64 lost the battle anyway,then i got the ps2 and learnt to love playstation.Thus,if MS is getting in,i see no reason why i should hate,i might start loving them for all u know.

One more thing,Ben i already know ur ass,have been on this site from like the middle of last year,that's enough time to get to know you. I know you luv Bioshock a lot!

i will have to forward this to my wife, who thinks that i am an oddity in the gaming world. someone who loves to read and enjoys outdoor sports, and plays video games. cheers to you and you stellar site Ben.

Hey Ben, always glad to receive more information on the people I rely on to bring me game reviews. Just a side note but if you've been lifting for 6 years shouldn't you be bigger? I'm 6'0" and 200 lbs. Also, don't focus on your arms. You gotta do it all. If you focus on anything it should be legs because those are the muscles that promote the most growth throughout your entire body.

I said I focus on my arms, I didn't say I ignored the rest of my body. ;) And no, I shouldn't be bigger because I don't want to be bigger. I do the cardio to keep myself in decent shape; only lifting won't do that, and it's really a waste of time to just bulk up.

If you want to have the muscular structure but still be able to fit into size 34 or 36 pants, you need to keep both routines going all week.

Fair enough. I was just about perfect for Mr. Natural Bodybuilding competition when I met my wife. Still big and strong but not as lean anymore. You know how it goes. ;) I'm actively working to change that now. I'm 26 and just recently has my metabolism dropped to the point where cardio is becoming a necessity on top of my normal lifting routine. It sucks but staying in peak physical condition is very important to me.

Hey Ben! This was actually a very interesting article I never thought you could be so interesting ;P lol Just kidding man. It's true that I did enjoy reading about what you've done, so thanks for the article and thanks for being the chief-in-editor here at PSXextreme I am sure I speak for many when we say we appreciate you are here.

would have read the whole of it but i get bored easily. not saying you're boring. anyway, "keep it up ol' china, the good work i mean"that's a phrase from the production i'm doing really suits the mood.

Now Ben for those Roaylties you promised us oh bugger wrong window sorry lol :)

Haha only kidding guys :)

Seriously we can't say it enough great site etc etc. Well I feel we can't anyway.

I don't think I go to any other sites now beside this one, maybe Metacritic to get an overall feel of something other than games ie books or music or something. Now if you could fit that in Ben or Arnold maybe even John (is it) Jess I dunno I forget the other guys name....haha only kidding John lol :)keep it real guys :)

Hey Ben! (finally i got registered here! kept trying for years, all i had to do was register using Firefox. Yeesh...)

Nice to see some background on you guys. Kudos to all the work you put into this site.

I may be a new member here, but I've been visiting your site since PS1 days (when the URL had some letter in CAPS -- PSXExtreme.com). Most reliable site i ever came across, and i visit here almost every day. It just cracks me up when some fanboys drop some stupid comment with no solid basis. Funny harhar. Anyways. you guys keep it up :)

Just wonderin. Its just that all the Ben's i know smoke.lol? But you dont drink? WTF? Me too xD. But i plan on drinking just to socialize you know. I dont wanna be on the sidelines while my friends get at it. Maybe just a little though.

First off I have to say that this was an awesome idea! Good goin Arnold! Glad to hear both of your backgrounds.. they were very interesting!

Alright.. Ben.. you lucky, lucky b@stard! You're telling me that you met THE coolest person on earth!?? Mr. Black. You have got to give me his number.. that guy is freaking hilarious. Everytime he mumbles (when he's pissed - which is pretty much 24/7) I crack up for like 20 minutes. Everything about that guy is perfect for comedy/standup..

Now I'm not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to vehicles, but you think one of you guys might get the new 370Z?, because I think that one could top your current 350 lolz.. In fact, I'll go buy one, then race you guys.. yah, I wish haha. Well you can take on my beasty '05 Civic for the time being. ;)

As for Black, he IS funny (even though he's far too left-wing for me), and the interview went well, if I remember correctly. He wasn't quite as big then as he was now, like a lot of people I interviewed, so it made it easier.

Ben, nice article! Enjoy Prince of Persia - IMO the game is simply gorgeous. It is easy once you get the hang of the controls, but I love the art-style graphics, the Myst-like puzzles, and the story line was fairly solid. I'd definitely like to see a sequel.

Whats up Ben?I have been reading your articles for awhile, but have just recently signed up as a member.I wanted to thank you and the rest of the staff for all the insightful articles you have written.I plan on being more active in the site so plan on seeing me a lot.